Related News
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EWEB 2023 year in review
In 2023, EWEB invested in our community with grants, rebates and an array of other programs and measures aimed at fulfiling our core values of safety, reliability, affordability, environmental responsibility and community/culture.
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EWEB Recognized with Excellence in Communications Awards from American Public Power Association
We are proud to have been recognized with two Excellence in Public Power Communications Awards for 2023 from the American Public Power Association (APPA).
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Let's talk turkey. If a disaster strikes, is your family ready?
Many of us avoid discussing politics over the dinner table in the spirit of family peace and harmony. But here's a topic that can bring everyone together: emergency preparedness.
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EWEB To Hold First of Two Public Hearings on Proposed 2024 Budget and Prices
At the Nov. 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, EWEB staff will present a proposed budget that includes rate increases necessary to support utility operations and make needed infrastructure investments.
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EWEB now offering a Smart Thermostat rebate program
EWEB is excited to announce a new residential rebate program to provide electric customers with free or greatly discounted Smart Thermostats to customers whose primary source of heating is from an electric forced-air furnace or heat pump.
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Your EWEB Rates at Work: Investing Today for a Resilient Tomorrow
For more than a century, EWEB has planned, built, and maintained the systems that deliver safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible power and water to Eugene homes and businesses.
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Have an energy efficient and water conscious holiday season
The holiday season is officially upon us. Whether you are celebrating a special holiday or just sharing a meal with close friends and family, hosting can cause some unexpected energy and water usage increases – resulting in a higher utility bill. We’ve prepared some tips on how you can save energy and water this holiday season.
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River Road Substation returns to service after infrastructure upgrades
Supply chain shortages and proactive infrastructure investments, including constructing seismic foundations and implementing control modernization, have played a role in the substation's return-to-service timeline.
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Public Power Week Poster Contest Winners 2023
The results are in! View the winning posters from EWEB's 2023 Public Power Week Poster Contest.
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The importance of managed electric vehicle charging explained
EWEB has much to handle related to EV charging infrastructure. To ensure that the switch from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles reduces the most emissions possible at the lowest cost possible, we need to implement managed EV charging.
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Fall is the perfect time to prepare for winter storm season
Winter is coming, which increases the likelihood of storm-related power outages. It's important to be prepared, and there are simple actions you can take right now.
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EWEB lead annual "Spill Drill"
EWEB coordinates drill as part of protecting Eugene’s drinking water
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EWEB seeks public input on electric vehicle, demand response standards
EWEB is seeking public input on the potential adoption of updated standards for electric vehicles (EVs) and demand response programs. The potential standards are derived from the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, or PURPA.
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As prices increase, what can you do to take control of monthly utility bills?
EWEB’s Board of Commissioners is considering rate changes in 2024. Here are some ways to save money and manage your bill, and how EWEB can help.
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Public Power Week Poster Contest 2023
It’s that time of year again! October 1-7 is Public Power Week. To celebrate, EWEB is holding our annual poster contest for fifth graders in our service area. Help us pick the winners.
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EWEB supports apprentices through a training program
May 18, 2023 • Robyn Smith, EWEB Communications
Apprentice:
- A person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer.
- A beginner at something.
EWEB has a myriad of skilled trade workers in the electric and water division. Our skilled journeymen are experts in their field, with thousands of training hours and real-world experiences. Acquiring skills is one thing, but do trade workers feel responsible for passing on what they’ve learned to others? The answer is yes.
That’s why EWEB’s electric division has a unique program dedicated to training and certifying apprentices called the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC). EWEB has nine apprentices from the Line Operation, Substation, and Meter Shop departments.
Becoming a certified line worker, working daily with high-voltage electrical equipment, is no joke. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) requires an apprentice to complete 7,000 hours of various field duties in their discipline and complete a three-year classroom training which covers everything from electric and circuitry fundamentals to power factors and wiring schematics before they can ultimately take the journeyman exam and become certified in their trade.
BOLI standards require an apprentice to log field work daily and review it with their employers, who grade them on a scale of 1-5 (exceptional to needs improvement.) That’s where the JATC comes into play. Once a month, the committee reviews each apprentice’s work, tallying their progress in various disciplines or examining weaknesses that need improvement.
“We’re here to provide constructive feedback so each apprentice can grow and become a successful candidate for certification,” said Cody Nutt, JATC chair and line technician.
The review committee comprises a chair, secretary, admin, and HR representative. The intent is for EWEB staff to rotate through the officer positions annually.
Nutt, who has been a part of the committee for the past two years, said, “Most of us in the line department rotate through the committee seats. We want to be involved and help others through the program.”
EWEB's top priority is to provide safe and reliable power to customers; the men and women working on EWEB’s electric grid undergo years of training and mentorship from their peers. Soaking up the lessons learned and past experiences of others.
John Latourette, EWEB line crew supervisor, and JATC secretary, said, “There’s an old generational mission we impart on new apprentices: at the beginning, you absorb, experience, learn as much as you can about your skill set, and then your priority shifts. Then, after your apprenticeship, you want an apprentice working beside you to pass along your knowledge and ensure they become even more skilled than you.”
The JATC program has been in place for many years and continues to ensure apprentices evolve best practices by working with and learning from skilled, certified EWEB employees who proudly pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
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